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 Baby
Sign Language
How
do you effectively communicate with an infant?
Baby sign language can help parents communicate with their little ones.
Many parents do say that it has been very effective. Babies and
toddlers are very limited in their ability to tell others what they
want and need. Using baby sign language is an effective way to help a
little one process language. Many times, a toddler
will become extremely frustrated when he is unable to tell others what
he needs. He does not have the skills required to articulate his wants
and needs through speech. Baby sign language helps reduce the
number of tantrums a toddler manifests just to get
attention.
Gestures are much easier for a baby to use since they do not
have to match the American Sign Language designated signs for objects
and activities. A baby can use a waving gesture to ask for a cookie. As
long as his caretakers know what the gesture means, it works.
Create your own baby sign language. Here are tips:
Parents can begin using baby sign language through modeling. Sign
language is very visual and it is easier for a baby to remember than
spoken words. The baby begins to connect the spoken word with the
gesture and with the object or activity very quickly.
My daughter does not use sign language yet, but she
understands signs for the words “more, want, help, ball,
play” and “eat”, on sight. Gradually, she
will begin to imitate the baby sign language and finally she will use
the words. My daughter does not like it when I use
hand-over-hand prompts to help her use sign language just like most
babies. They need to observe the gestures and pick them up gradually.
Baby sign language should not be forced and it should not be
structured. The best approach to using sign language for babies is to
connect the words with the signs or with an object or
activity.
One of the most popular signs to teach first is
“more” because it is very easy for a baby to
understand. If you are swinging a baby in a swing, take a moment to
stop swinging and sign “more” before continuing the
activity. It is not necessary to require the baby to use sign language.
Modeling the sign is a great way to introduce them to it. The baby will
eventually begin using the sign language on his own as he learns to
imitate.
Once the little one begins to use baby sign language, you
will find that he also begins to articulate the words associated with
the signs. Make it fun. Involve activities and things that the baby
loves and you will have a great start on building your
child’s communication skills. Baby sign language is the first
step to developing good communication skills, and in turn, good
behavior.
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